tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81800596829286952072015-02-28T03:57:36.847-05:00North Meets SouthEricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.comBlogger657125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-49732339543399706942015-02-26T13:56:00.000-05:002015-02-26T13:56:03.124-05:00The Rickses in Italy - Days 3-5: Cinque TerreSandwiched between touring 4 different cities, Spencer and I took a break to the Italian Riveria, specifically&nbsp;<a href="http://cinque_terre/">Cinque Terre</a>. As much as I relish touring cities from sun-up to sun-down, I thought that a bit of down time would be appreciated. Little did I know how exhausted I'd get during pregnancy - a beach-break was absolutely necessary.<br /><br />Day 3 saw us waking up BEFORE the crack of dawn to catch our train from Florence to La Spezia. We had a stop in Pisa, but sadly, we couldn't see the tower from the train station. Ah well. From La Spezia we took a tiny local train full of beach-goers to Monterosso al Mare, the Cinque Terre town with the most extensive sand beach (which really isn't saying anything). I didn't quite realize just how tiny the Cinque Terre towns are! You walk for 15 minutes, and you see the whole thing.<br /><br />For our lodging in Cinque Terre, we went to the local internet cafe and told the owner of the establishment that we wanted an apartment for 3 nights. He called up the landlords (this old couple), the wife gave him the keys by dropping them out of her 2nd story window, and then her husband, who spent all day every day sitting on the same bench underneath the same tree, hobbled over to the apartment to let us in. This entire transaction made me feel like I had gone back in time. How cool to be in a place where all the residents know each other and call to each other on the street! Our apartment was perfect - kitchen with lemon trees right outside (Cinque Terre is known for its lemons), a bedroom that looked over a tiny, historic church, and no internet.<br /><br />Lemon trees and the lemons Spencer picked (was it legal? we have no idea):<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cviNrPnwddo/VO9S_InwyhI/AAAAAAAACBU/9ua_6HTiz3U/s1600/IMG_6206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cviNrPnwddo/VO9S_InwyhI/AAAAAAAACBU/9ua_6HTiz3U/s1600/IMG_6206.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojI2aTfZQ-Q/VO9S--46svI/AAAAAAAACBQ/3oNT1inYmD4/s1600/IMG_6205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojI2aTfZQ-Q/VO9S--46svI/AAAAAAAACBQ/3oNT1inYmD4/s1600/IMG_6205.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVuyxSQw4Vw/VO9S9tKMK4I/AAAAAAAACBI/pi8kIvsfNac/s1600/IMG_6212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVuyxSQw4Vw/VO9S9tKMK4I/AAAAAAAACBI/pi8kIvsfNac/s1600/IMG_6212.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Party in the church's courtyard happening right outside our bedroom window. Sadly, they didn't save us any food.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yFXyAtTJnOw/VO9qhW-sWoI/AAAAAAAACDc/jCiUlQxLqPA/s1600/IMG_6217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yFXyAtTJnOw/VO9qhW-sWoI/AAAAAAAACDc/jCiUlQxLqPA/s1600/IMG_6217.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Our first day was spent exploring Monterosso al Mare and, of course, going to the beach.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Styz3qX0aro/VO9RT25eLiI/AAAAAAAACA8/hkm7daF8PRs/s1600/IMG_6192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Styz3qX0aro/VO9RT25eLiI/AAAAAAAACA8/hkm7daF8PRs/s1600/IMG_6192.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><br />New Monterosso al Mare! (We stayed in Old Monterosso al Mare.) Can you believe that water? So stinkin' blue! Turns out all beaches with umbrellas are "private" and cost money; any beach without an umbrella meant it was free. Guess which beach we went to.<br /><br />Our first full day in Cinque Terre was spent hiking among the villages. Only two of the trails were open, so we didn't hit up the southernmost two villages.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t4B0hEnH_NY/VO9YX1ZDCJI/AAAAAAAACBo/J7WMJMh5VDA/s1600/IMG_0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t4B0hEnH_NY/VO9YX1ZDCJI/AAAAAAAACBo/J7WMJMh5VDA/s1600/IMG_0250.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Old Monterosso al Mare - you can see the start of the hiking trail winding around.<br /><br />From Monterosso we hiked to Vernazza, which is considered to be the most picturesque of the five towns.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tjnk4bTCwRA/VO9c_yxou6I/AAAAAAAACCI/BiKtJvtz98E/s1600/IMG_0285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tjnk4bTCwRA/VO9c_yxou6I/AAAAAAAACCI/BiKtJvtz98E/s1600/IMG_0285.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dzy7D-bx0mM/VO9c-kftRwI/AAAAAAAACCA/-fIzBRfWATs/s1600/IMG_0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dzy7D-bx0mM/VO9c-kftRwI/AAAAAAAACCA/-fIzBRfWATs/s1600/IMG_0290.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aiz_LslbOSU/VO9dAag3NeI/AAAAAAAACCM/iWv0N-HIwA0/s1600/IMG_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aiz_LslbOSU/VO9dAag3NeI/AAAAAAAACCM/iWv0N-HIwA0/s1600/IMG_0309.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jRoF9zRPtY4/VO9dC087QUI/AAAAAAAACCY/Hwl5n4LtgVo/s1600/IMG_0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jRoF9zRPtY4/VO9dC087QUI/AAAAAAAACCY/Hwl5n4LtgVo/s1600/IMG_0318.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Taking a break on the pier was not the worst place to eat a fresh focaccia (another thing Cinque Terre is known for) sandwich for lunch.<br /><br />From Vernazza, we went to Corgnilia, the only town to not have direct access to the sea...because it's on the top of a cliff!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vGuxVcIjMFc/VO9ndW2j8CI/AAAAAAAACCo/mB1AEKdRbUM/s1600/IMG_0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vGuxVcIjMFc/VO9ndW2j8CI/AAAAAAAACCo/mB1AEKdRbUM/s1600/IMG_0320.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MUSHsVnN4c0/VO9ndtGBn3I/AAAAAAAACCs/nDmqZfxlCXg/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MUSHsVnN4c0/VO9ndtGBn3I/AAAAAAAACCs/nDmqZfxlCXg/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><br />In Corniglia, we had a lemon <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granita">granita</a>, which is cold and yummy and absolutely perfect when you are hot, sweaty, and 15 weeks pregnant.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L16SsMdTvbw/VO9oEd3Y5WI/AAAAAAAACC4/pgGsO6YVTHI/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L16SsMdTvbw/VO9oEd3Y5WI/AAAAAAAACC4/pgGsO6YVTHI/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Obviously I was super excited about the granita.<br /><br />From Corniglia, we hiked back to Vernazza, and then from Vernazza to Monterosso, I insisted that we take the train because again, 15 weeks pregnant and I had been hiking for like 6 hours at that point. At least we got one more sweet photo of Vernazza:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-90gJnJEezEk/VO9qC8tRBRI/AAAAAAAACDU/I7meuwXngeg/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-90gJnJEezEk/VO9qC8tRBRI/AAAAAAAACDU/I7meuwXngeg/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;Our last day in Cinque Terre was spent chilling at the (free) beach, reading, and napping.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4jR7GNw8a60/VO9qCX88aOI/AAAAAAAACDM/0o-BuMVtGzU/s1600/IMG_6255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4jR7GNw8a60/VO9qCX88aOI/AAAAAAAACDM/0o-BuMVtGzU/s1600/IMG_6255.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Those three days in Cinque Terre were perfect after touring two cities at break-neck speed and before heading off to two more cities, and the hike was one of our favorite activities from the entire trip. If you ever go to Italy, stop over at Cinque Terre - you won't regret it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8iLYMInTcvc/VO9qA2GiRHI/AAAAAAAACDE/P7S-KvFXIs8/s1600/IMG_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8iLYMInTcvc/VO9qA2GiRHI/AAAAAAAACDE/P7S-KvFXIs8/s1600/IMG_0236.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-59832341722477256102014-09-30T22:34:00.000-04:002014-10-01T10:39:10.125-04:00The Rickses in Italy - Day 1/2: Milan/Florence<div style="text-align: justify;">Earlier this year, Spencer and I were discussing where to go for vacation this year as for the first time in our married life, we had the happy happenstance of having both money and time. Initially we considered going to visit Spencer's parents in Japan, but I've been wanting to go back to Europe, specifically Italy, for <i>ages</i>. Spencer was down with pushing back Japan a year, especially since we were planning to do in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in May/June, and this could be our last vacation pre-baby (we figured that if the IVF worked, I'd be in my 2nd trimester, and if didn't work, then we'd have something to look forward to). &nbsp;Flights were purchased in April, and we were Italy-bound!<br /><br />Our first stop was Milan. It wasn't initially on my go-to list, but the flights to Milan were hundreds of dollars cheaper AND non-stop (yay for Emirates Airlines!), so to Milan we went. We left New York at 10:30 pm on Thursday night and arrived in Milan at noon on Friday. &nbsp;We only spent that afternoon/evening in Milan, so we made quick work of checking into our apartment and heading out into the city.<br /><br />We saw the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milan_Cathedral">cathedral</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galleria_Vittorio_Emanuele_II">Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II</a>, and meandered about various neighborhoods, which is how we see every city - by meandering and getting lost. Fairly modern and wealthy, Milan was pretty, but honestly, nothing spectacular. If it weren't for the flights, we wouldn't have bothered. Ok, actually, the cathedral was spectacular, and I'm so glad I got to add it to my collection of cathedrals I've seen:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6040_zpsf398c60f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6040_zpsf398c60f.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6044_zps0ea7b789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6044_zps0ea7b789.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6052_zpse9efea72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6052_zpse9efea72.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Oh, and we ate the best gnocchi of my life in Milan - freaking melted in my mouth!<br /><br />Early the next morning, we walked to the train station and caught a speedy train to Florence. Speeds of almost 300 km/hr! Spencer loved it. Again, we were only spending the day in Florence, leaving early the next morning. But let me tell you what, we <i>packed</i>&nbsp;it in saw so freaking much in that short day.<br /><br />We started with the San Lorenzo market, skipping the touristy goods and going straight to the food section, browsing around until getting sandwiches and lemon soda. Spencer has been looking for lemon soda since he came back from Chile in 2006, and Italy is the first place we've been to that has it! I totally get why he's raved about it all these years.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_0202_zps3ef21187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_0202_zps3ef21187.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Again, we meandered about, seeing various sites and generally getting lost. First up was, of course, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Cathedral">Duomo</a>&nbsp;with its glorious dome:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6056_zpsebbe38fd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6056_zpsebbe38fd.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_0230_zpsa0607015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_0230_zpsa0607015.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was hard to get a good picture, but the fresco was astounding.</td></tr></tbody></table>We didn't climb the tower as the line was insane and I don't do well with stairs. Instead, we headed towards San Miniato on the other side of the Arno. Basically, we heeded the majority of the advice in this <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-condie/travel-to-florence_b_5461685.html">article </a>about spending a day in Florence.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6110_zps055fa355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6110_zps055fa355.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><br />The view was worth the hike and eating some gelato on the way didn't hurt.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/87fb1734-72dc-45e3-8d1c-04b7feeec7c9_zps8c099b46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/87fb1734-72dc-45e3-8d1c-04b7feeec7c9_zps8c099b46.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First of many gelatos, and 15 weeks at this point.</td></tr></tbody></table>When we went to Milan, I was kinda disappointed. I'd always had this vision in my head of what Italy looked like, and Milan did not match that vision at all. Then, we went to Florence. Oh my. That city is the place of dreams. I mean, you are walking along and bam! A palace. You walk a few more steps and bam! A masterpiece from a Renaissance artist. There were also a billion beautiful churches and even processions out of said churches.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6181_zps37ca634f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6181_zps37ca634f.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, hello, Neptune</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/6196bcb3-5f63-4d73-a6a1-a8e480428c1e_zps7bfb1190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/6196bcb3-5f63-4d73-a6a1-a8e480428c1e_zps7bfb1190.jpg" height="640" width="570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ponytail wasn't part of the procession.</td></tr></tbody></table>Florence at sunset isn't all that bad either.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6157_zps3760660f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6157_zps3760660f.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6161_zpsb80df278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6161_zpsb80df278.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6180_zpsbc989818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Italy%202014/IMG_6180_zpsbc989818.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><br />The day ended with the best meal we ate in Italy with Spencer's cousin and her husband. No, we didn't see The David or go to the Uffizi Gallery (that's not really our thing and the lines! oof.), but we saw so, so much, absolutely loved Florence, and in the end, were ready to move on to our next adventure - Cinque Terre!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><hr style="text-align: justify;" /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-13041387545579234832014-08-18T14:54:00.000-04:002014-08-18T14:54:47.911-04:00Lazy Weekends of August<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTj1Z1XA7wc/U_JLj-_go4I/AAAAAAAAB6E/qXvU91hfxyg/s1600/summer%2Bstreets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTj1Z1XA7wc/U_JLj-_go4I/AAAAAAAAB6E/qXvU91hfxyg/s1600/summer%2Bstreets.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This Saturday Spencer and I found ourselves in the glorious position of wondering, "so what do we do today?" For the first time since probably last year, Spencer didn't work a <i>single bit</i> this past weekend (well, he didn't work last weekend either, but he had an insane cold and was mostly out of commission). We were head-over-heels ecstatic to have the weekend to ourselves! However, we were also stumped as what to do. Normally, our summer Saturdays were always go to the burbs and go waterskiing, but sadly, that is no longer an option. So what do we do if we can't waterski? We explore the city, duh.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We got up early and biked down <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/summerstreets/html/home/home.shtml">Summer Streets</a>&nbsp;before the crowds hit, stopped at <a href="http://www.economycandy.com/">Economy Candy</a> for baby shower favors, and because Spencer was adamant, got <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/prosperity-dumpling-new-york">dumplings</a>. At 10:30 in the morning. "If I'm down here, I'm going to get dumplings," he said. I passed on them, needless to say. We got home by noon, and after eating and showering, we were like now what?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Spencer said, "this is problem with waking up early on Saturdays." I told him to hesh up - I have a serious love of Saturday mornings.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After a bit of America's Next Top Model (judge not that ye be not judged! and yeah, Spencer hates that show), we walked through Central Park and all around the Upper West Side. Like the old people we are, we parked our rear-ends on a bench by the Hudson River and people-watched for a embarrassingly long time. And because no trip to the UWS is complete without a stop at Trader Joe's, we quickly purchased a few necessities, like Meyer lemon cookie thins and wasabi-flavored seaweed. Only had-to-haves, clearly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The rest of the night included Spencer making homemade pizza like a champ and watching multiple episodes of The West Wing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sunday followed in a wonderfully blissful manner - french toast and peaches for breakfast, church, naps, bike riding in the park, more of Spencer making dinner and more West Wing. I basically had to pinch myself all weekend, wondering if it was for real - no work, no demands, just us, doing whatever we wanted.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Good thing this doesn't happen too often, or we might get sick of each other. &nbsp;</div><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-3853363250401575142014-08-06T16:17:00.002-04:002014-08-06T16:17:50.714-04:00Unintentional Radio SilenceWriting is something I don't naturally enjoy. Once I'm in the habit of writing, I can carry on like it ain't no thang, but if I ever get out of the habit? Well, I don't write a darn word for almost four months. In an effort of writing again and documenting our lives, here's what we were up to, April through July:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hp4wjcrUxDQ/U-KL2JxkIZI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/knhp6jJ1iJo/s1600/easter+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hp4wjcrUxDQ/U-KL2JxkIZI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/knhp6jJ1iJo/s1600/easter+2014.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We still exist! Easter Sunday 2014, photo by my sister</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>April:</b>&nbsp;April saw me working the most I ever have in my entire life (first and hopefully only weekend plus lots of late nights). I got a <i>teeny</i>&nbsp;glimpse of what it's like to be Spencer, and I honestly have <b>no</b>&nbsp;idea how he works those hours on a regular basis. NO IDEA. For Easter we went up to Massachusetts to be with my family, but with a quick stop in Boston! I hadn't been to the actual city of Boston in ages, and then I went two months in a row (March with my older sister and April to crash Spencer's work trip for a night)! Such a cute city. April's most notable happening was that it was my in-laws last month of living in New York. When not at work or in Massachusetts, we spent all of our free time with Spencer's parents, who moved on May 2nd after living in the NYC suburbs for 36 years. After a month in Utah, they moved to Tokyo where my father-in-law is doing legal work for our church, and my mother-in-law is doing service work. (See more of their adventures on their <a href="http://senkyoshi.wordpress.com/">blog</a>.) We miss them <i>terribly</i>, and I'm in denial that they are never moving back here. Sob!<br /><br /><b>May:</b>&nbsp;We were both still working a lot in May, but never fear, good times were had. We did a fair amount of biking on the weekends, and I ran two races in my quest to do the <a href="http://www.nyrr.org/join-and-give/become-a-member/run-9-give-1">9+1 program</a> for entrance to the NYC 2015 marathon. This marked the 3rd year in a row that I did the Brooklyn Half Marathon, and my gosh, I love that race. I hope to do it every year we live here. Memorial Day weekend saw us in DC for a day for Spencer's cousin's wedding (I was sooooo happy to be farther south for a bit!), work for Spencer, and then more biking and delicious tacos.<br /><br /><b>June:</b>&nbsp;I was <i>not</i>&nbsp;working a lot in June (just assume that Spencer always is), and it was a pretty chill month. Spencer and I are trying to adjust to spending our summer Saturdays in the city, when normally we'd be with his parents, waterskiing on the lake. Sigh...I didn't run much as I've had some tendinitis issues that needed to heal, so no races. I did go to my first concert in NYC - Ingrid Michaelson at Terminal 5 with a couple of girlfriends. It was a blast, and Ingrid Michaelson was fantastic live. My sister Jenna came into town one weekend with a friend, so I hung out with them a bit, and then we went out to Fire Island another weekend when Spencer's sister <a href="http://sayyes.com/">Liz </a>was there. Go check out her <a href="http://sayyes.com/2014/07/fire-island.html">photos </a>- they are gorgeous. We ate the <a href="http://instagram.com/p/psfMY8vK1V/?modal=true">fanciest meal</a> of our lives, and went to another wedding! A close friend got married at the very tippy-tip of Manhattan, across from the Statue of Liberty with a gorgeous sunset in the background. We then ate and danced the night away, and it was perfect.<br /><br /><b>July:</b>&nbsp;Again, work was kinda slow, so I found other things to fill my time. I started taking Excel classes after work, learning how to do VBA Macros, and yeah, I watch a lot of tv. For the 4th, we went up to Maine with the rest of my family, where we hiked and ate and saw fireworks and a parade. I always love going up there. I ran race #6 with Kiasa, my friend and running buddy who sadly moved to the suburbs. She was the one who got me through my first Brooklyn Half, and I was so happy to catch up with her. Spencer continued to work, including one weekend wherein he billed over 40 hours. Ouch. I planned a baby shower I'm throwing in August and OUR TRIP TO ITALY. We go in September, and I'm soooooo excited. Other than that, we try to enjoy the city on the weekends - get cheap eats in various neighborhoods, go to free concerts, and spend Sunday afternoons in Central Park.<br /><br />So that's what we've been up to. I'm excited for August, which always seems like the start of summer for me (due to internships and bar exam in prior summers). Things have already looked up with us attending our fourth Shakespeare in the Park on Saturday and planning to bike&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/summerstreets/html/home/home.shtml">Summer Streets</a>&nbsp;this weekend!<br /><br />P.S. no promises that I'll blog in the next four months :)<br /><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-73101858966719041922014-04-14T20:04:00.002-04:002014-04-14T20:04:59.429-04:00I don't know how Spencer does itOn Thursday, I worked from 9 am to 8:30 pm.<br />On Friday, I worked from 9 am to 10:30 pm.<br />On Saturday, I worked from 10:30 am to 12:30 am.<br /><br />Working 39ish hours over those 3 days makes that the most I have ever worked in my adult career. Part of me is proud of it, like it's a rite of passage. I've probably mentioned this before, but I normally work great hours, solidly 9 to 5 or 6 WITH a 1-hour lunch. In fact, my hours are known among my friends for being cushy. And the times I do have to work late (i.e., quarter-end, month-end, or P&amp;I day), I always know what days those will be, and I rarely stay later than 8:30. I had never worked a weekend before. The other part of me is like, never do this again!<br /><br />Working in the office on a Saturday until almost 1 am? That one was a doozy, right there. The crazy thing is that I didn't actually mind it in the moment. I mean, sure, it sucked big time working on the nicest day of the year. It sucked big time being in the office when Spencer was actually around (something that hasn't happened too much lately). But! I was so freakin' busy that the time just <i>flew</i>. Those 14 hours honestly felt more like 4. The most shocking part of it all, and what definitely made the weekend not as terrible as it could have been, is that all of us stuck in the office all those hours were cordial, helpful, and kind throughout the entire thing. Who on earth is gracious and polite at midnight?! I truly have the best coworkers.<br /><br />A bizarre side-effect of working until 12:30 was that I couldn't fall asleep until 3 am. Yes, I was zonked, but because my mind had been in overdrive for so long, I couldn't shut it off. My coworkers had the same problem. Guess I had no choice but to watch some Vampire Diaries. :)<br /><br />Sunday, thank goodness, was another beautiful day, and I didn't have to go to the office. I did oversleep church, waking up at 10:30, thinking it started at 11. In fact, we were meeting at 10, an hour earlier than normal. In my defense, we do usually meet at 11, and please, you think my brain was functioning? Spencer was also extremely exhausted from a very crazy work week and requires that I wake him on Sunday basically every week. So after sleeping in, we went to <a href="http://www.thewoodlawncemetery.org/">Woodlawn Cemetery</a> (the most beautiful cemetery I've ever seen), walked around <a href="http://parks.westchestergov.com/saxon-woods-park">Saxon Woods</a>, and spent time with my in-laws. I was surprisingly cheerful and functional. I was cuddly and chipper! Spencer didn't know what to make of it.<br /><br />Then, Monday morning came about. You better believe I've been a zombie <i>alllllll </i>day. Doesn't help that we are doing a quarter-end on top of what went down this weekend, meaning lots o' work and staying to the "late" hour of 8 pm. I'm pooped.<br /><br />And with all this going on, the one thought that comes to my mind over and over again is "How on earth does Spencer do it?!??!!" He works these hours and even worse! Regularly! My brain is so fuzzy - how does he ever concentrate? I'll happily not make quite (ok, not nearly) as much and work my sweet, sweet 40 hours a week.<br /><br />Spencer, upon hearing this, nodded his head and said "<i>mmm-hmmm!</i>". As he deserves to.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/59c9bd62-3e89-4ea6-bdb3-12dab00394de_zpsb873eea6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/59c9bd62-3e89-4ea6-bdb3-12dab00394de_zpsb873eea6.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I too want a mausoleum and gorgeous road sign for my resting place.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/photo3_zps4c2e778c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/photo3_zps4c2e778c.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waaaaaay back in the day, Spencer made oodles of birdhouses for Saxon Woods as his Eagle Scout project. And guess what? They are still there! Cutie.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-31304904838130538092014-04-09T15:56:00.000-04:002014-04-09T15:56:58.118-04:00Fabulous Bits of First Quarter 2014I think it's high-time that I review some of the fabulous bits of the first quarter of 2014. Too easily can I forget them amidst all the cold and <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2014/03/itchy.html">ennui </a>that generally characterize January through March of basically every year ever and <i>especially </i>2014. Therefore, here I am, putting the good stuff down on paper (well, internet), because guess what? It is possible to be <a href="http://vimeo.com/88762127">happy in New York in February</a> (video H/T <a href="http://renandron.tumblr.com/">Lauren</a>).<br /><br />Here's what I've loved about 2014 thus far:<br /><br />&nbsp;- Going up to Maine with friends for a long weekend. I just love, love, love going up to Maine, and we have such amazing friends.<br /><br />&nbsp;- Running a race a month. I'm doing the <a href="http://www.nyrr.org/join-and-give/become-a-member/run-9-give-1">9+1 program</a> for guaranteed entrance to the 2015 NYC marathon, and 3 of the 4 races I ran this year (already did April's) qualify for the program. In May, I'll be knocking out 2 more races.<br /><br />- <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2014/03/puerto-ricks-2014.html">Puerto Rico</a>. duh.<br /><br />- Biking. It finally got warm enough to bike around a couple of Saturdays ago, and Spencer and I biked all around East Harlem and Randall's Island with our friends. I had been <b>dying </b>to go biking because I hadn't gone since early November and this is a bit ridiculous considering I had never even biked in the city until August of last year. But now I'm hooked.<br /><br />- Cross-country skiing in New Paltz (as seen <a href="http://instagram.com/p/kKzbqUvKw8/">here </a>and <a href="http://instagram.com/p/iw_AjFvKw7/">here</a>). It's the same place where we love to go in the fall and hike the Lemon Squeeze (seen <a href="http://instagram.com/p/gOaJmnvK1Y/">here</a>). Every time I'm up there, I never want to move. If you haven't been to the Hudson Valley area in New York, you haven't seen beauty. (ok, you probably have. but still, you are missing out.)<br /><br />- Visiting my sister and her family in Boston, whom I hadn't seen since July! My <a href="http://instagram.com/p/lV9aTPPK_U/">niece</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/p/lSqiLoPK7e/">nephew </a>had grown so much in the months we were apart!<br /><br />- Spending time in the 'burbs with my in-laws before they move in less than a month (I'm kinda in denial about that). Who's gonna hike the Lemon Squeeze with us now??? And what about boating on summer weekends? Blech.<br /><br />- Hanging out with the bestest lady friends ever, who were gracious enough to entertain me while Spencer worked night after night, weekend after weekend. Activities included but were not limited to going out for dinner, me organizing their kitchen, me organizing their closet (not the same friend as the kitchen), and talking til 2 am. (seriously tho, I love organizing. feel free to make me organize your home.)<br /><br />- Doing city stuff on those rare weekends when Spencer wasn't working and the weather was good, like walking across the park to check out <a href="http://www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/ladies-and-gentlementhe-beatles?hspace=244958">The Beatles exhibit</a> in the Lincoln Center library. (It was pretty cool and free! Our favorite combo.)<br /><br />- Having friends over. Unsurprisingly, I'm a real weenie about walking in the cold, so I much prefer it when friends come to our apartment. We've had our awesome city friends over for games, sporting events, and <a href="http://www.larecetadelafelicidad.com/en/2012/05/cream-chocolate-salted-caramel-tart.html">pi(e)</a>. Side note - I learned that most schools don't celebrate Pi Day! What is this monstrosity?!? Did yours? Did you sing the Pi Day song, a.k.a American Pie with the lyrics changed?<br /><br />- Lastly, reading. I'm not <a href="http://www.everyday-reading.com/2014/04/first-quarter-reading.html">Janssen </a>or anything, but I knocked out 24 books in the first quarter of 2014, which is more I had in a while. This, of course, was all before Vampire Diaries came into my life and sucked up (get it?!) any reading time I would have had.<br /><br />Alright, so the beginning of the year wasn't <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q_kpBwc0Ro"><i>haw-ible</i></a>. It <i>might</i>&nbsp;have been even been a bit good. But I'm still glad it's done. Here's to spring 2014!<br /><br /><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-30079674739235690292014-03-31T23:14:00.000-04:002014-03-31T23:14:02.290-04:00Acting Like an AdultSome days I come home from a long day at work and do really lame things, like chores and errands. While doing these, I like to mentally pat myself on the back and say "Way to be an adult! Way to act like a grown-up!"<br /><br />I feel like a kid, playing at grown-up. This feeling is reinforced by the marathons of Vampire Diaries, buying a burger for dinner because why not, and singing show tunes while walking about the city. (It's was raining, I had an umbrella, it was inevitable.) However, when hauling clothes to the laundromat, cleaning the toilet, and making my own doctor's appointments after working in an office all day, I realize that maybe, juuuuuust maybe, I am a 26-year-old, with a career almost 5 years strong and an apartment in New York City that I pay for.<br /><br />I <i>do</i>&nbsp;act like an adult! Occasionally. And those few moments totally justify eating 5 cookies in one night and downing a liter of Diet Coke, right? Right.<br /><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-36720089936781991972014-03-18T06:00:00.000-04:002014-03-18T06:00:07.462-04:00Puerto Ricks 2014<div style="text-align: justify;">Spencer and I went for a week-long jaunt in the middle of February to Puerto Rico. It was the first time on that island for both of us, and we fell in love. What's not to love about the beach, historical sites, and the jungle all in one place? Here's some snapshots from our trip, in no particular order or editing (because I'm supa lazy):</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">View from our balcony:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2663_zps27417cc6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2663_zps27417cc6.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2851_zps2cb93c85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2851_zps2cb93c85.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Old San Juan:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2843_zpsc5d1dc8d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2843_zpsc5d1dc8d.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2834_zps516bc603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2834_zps516bc603.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2728_zps5b39e6ba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2728_zps5b39e6ba.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2796_zps65c78233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2796_zps65c78233.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2794_zpsbaf5cf52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2794_zpsbaf5cf52.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2787_zps7e957074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2787_zps7e957074.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2768_zps9cbffbc0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2768_zps9cbffbc0.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2734_zpsdf9f150f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2734_zpsdf9f150f.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2705_zpsc4727bf9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2705_zpsc4727bf9.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2700_zps74258568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2700_zps74258568.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2696_zps11e56097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2696_zps11e56097.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/8D2ADF25-CF4E-40CA-8357-68E6229C7EBD_zpsc9yurlch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/8D2ADF25-CF4E-40CA-8357-68E6229C7EBD_zpsc9yurlch.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/IMG_5248_zps14e86c72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/IMG_5248_zps14e86c72.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">La playa:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2671_zps55462db6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2671_zps55462db6.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2666_zpsa90d43d2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_2666_zpsa90d43d2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It says "Feliz Dia Del Amor" because it was Valentine's Day. obv.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/IMG_5209_zpsbb7a1d7b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/IMG_5209_zpsbb7a1d7b.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/elyunque">El Yunque</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_5321_zpsd51ed77e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_5321_zpsd51ed77e.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_5315_zpsd3377b34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/IMG_5315_zpsd3377b34.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/IMG_5289_zpsc5844d92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/IMG_5289_zpsc5844d92.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/IMG_5288_zpsff684535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/IMG_5288_zpsff684535.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/IMG_5261_zps6c1c6651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/IMG_5261_zps6c1c6651.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-21142927725588749372014-03-17T23:16:00.001-04:002014-03-17T23:16:40.792-04:00ItchyYou think by now that I would be used to this pattern. It's not like I haven't been through this before. Work will be busy, and I'll be contentedly trucking along - days full of spreadsheets and evenings full of YA novels. Maybe I'll be planning for something exciting, say a trip to <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2014/02/the-trip-that-almost-didnt-happen.html">Puerto Rico</a>. Either way, I'm satisfied with my small, small life in this big, big world.<br /><br />And then something happens. Usually my workload will diminish (my work is very cyclical, and the middle of a non-quarter end month is our slow time), and I get bored. Sometimes, I'll read an article or book about a person that achieved greatness. Or maybe I just spend too much time thinking. Either way, I start to get itchy.<br /><br />I want to do something new. I want to move. I want change. I want to make a big splash. I feel like singing Belle's in <i>The Beauty and the Beast</i>: "there must be more to this provincial life!" Why am I not working my way towards being <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2014/01/lean-in-women-work-and-will-to-lead-by.html">COO of a major tech company</a> or towards <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/07/why-women-still-cant-have-it-all/309020/">working with the Secretary of State</a>? Why don't I have my PhD? Why don't I have my master's? Why don't I have <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2014/02/the-great-lie-of-our-generation.html">a job I'm passionate about</a>? Is this really all there is to life? Work, chores, a smidge of fun, repeat? I want to do something <b>grand</b>. But what?<br /><br />I know - it's all smoke and mirrors. I can't compare myself to others, and I can't build my happiness on external aspects of life. Sigh...don't mind me. This is just a combination of the never-ending winter blues and Monday ennui. In fact, I hate change. It's a running joke in my family how much I hate change (I was the only one to cry about my family moving Alabama to Massachusetts, even though I wasn't even living at home). Right now, it's easy for me to desire change in my comfortable life.<br /><br />But really, is there more than this provincial life?<br /><br />P.S. Spencer says that it's ridiculous to say my life is provincial when I live in New York City. I say, I have ennui. I can call my life whatever I want.<br /><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-55036288585764643162014-02-14T06:00:00.000-05:002014-02-14T06:00:04.023-05:00The Trip That Almost Didn't Happen<div style="text-align: justify;">This is the story of how Spencer and I gave a giant middle finger to winter storm Pax.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh, you haven't heard of Pax? It's just another one of those devastating winter storms that's been walloping the East Coast, from Georgia to Maine, all this week. Now, I knew that New York was going to get a ton of snow on Thursday, and silly me thought that meant that Spencer and I, whose flights to Puerto Rico were on Wednesday at 6 am with a layover in Atlanta, would be getting out of the Northeast in the nick of time. Nary a moment did I worry about flights being disrupted by the weather. SILLY ME.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On Tuesday morning, around 11 am or so, Spencer texts me to ask if the weather in Atlanta was affecting our flights. What? No! I reply. SILLY ME. About an hour later I get an email from Southwest - <i>our flights were cancelled.</i>&nbsp;Cue freak out.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I then spent about the next hour and half on Southwest's website and/or on the phone with a Southwest rep, tryyyyying to get a flight out to Puerto Rico. According to the rep, who was as nice as can be, she said that if we could get to Florida, we'd be golden. Unsurprisingly, that was much easier said than done. As I was on the phone with this woman, flights to Florida were filling up, and nothing on Wednesday was available. Our only option was to fly out Thursday morning from Long Island, meaning we'd get to Puerto Rico one day late. Ok, not the worst thing ever, but what if those flights were cancelled as well? The thought of not making it to my warm winter getaway basically shut down my brain.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then Spencer had the brilliant idea of trying to leave on Tuesday night. Genius! Beat the storm! But oh wait - Southwest's final flight to leave NYC on Tuesday left at 3 pm, which I found out at 1:40 pm. Despondent, I changed our flights to the Thursday morning flights, even though I was positive those flights would also be cancelled.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Seconds later, Spencer tells me that his coworker (bless him) found $200 flights on American Airlines from NYC to San Juan, direct, leaving at 7 pm Tuesday night. I should probably interject and say that our flights on Southwest were booked 100% with points, so Spencer, understandably so, was not keen on spending actual money on flights when we could get free ones on Thursday. But I wouldn't listen. I could not not make it Puerto Rico. I could not take the chance. Barely realizing what I was doing, I booked flights that were leaving in 5 hours.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here's where the all the small miracles/tender mercies/blessings came into this story. First, I could book a flight that left in 5 hours because Spencer and I had already packed for this trip on Monday night. Let me make something clear - I have NEVER in my LIFE packed for a trip any earlier than the night before. I'm ALWAYS a last-minute packer. And yet, on Monday night, Spencer and I got home from checking out an apartment (just for fun) and decided that we might as well get our bags ready.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Second, there was the tiny issue of us arriving to San Juan a day earlier than planned. Which meant no hotel booked. But I didn't care - I've spent the night in the airport before, and I was willing to do it again, as long as I got to San Juan. Then another of Spencer's coworkers, who is quite honestly one of the nicest people I've ever met, booked us a night at a hotel. Her husband travels for work weekly from Monday through Thursday, so they have quite a few hotel points. Still, it was so incredibly generous of her to do that for us! (and don't worry, we do plan on paying them back in anyway that they will allow. sheesh! we aren't total moochers!)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Third, I now had to cancel our Southwest flights booked for Thursday. When I was talking to the rep earlier in the day, she had said that the allowance to chance/cancel the flight was a one-time thing, so I wasn't sure that we'd get a refund on our points. At this point, I didn't care, though, and was willing to eat the points in order to ensure that I got out of New York. Anyway, once more I call Southwest, and miracle of miracles, we got a full refund on our points! No issues at all! Getting all of those points back helped Spencer swallow the cost of our new flights.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fourth, I too work with absolutely lovely people. I told my boss what had happened, and as soon as I had booked our new flights, she urged me to go home. Don't cut it close, she said. My cubiclemate said the same thing, which was very generous considering she'd have to pick up some of my slack. I didn't bounce then, but stayed as long as I could. And when I did leave early, again my coworker and boss were very generous and understanding.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So Spencer and I got home, picked up our already-packed luggage, and hauled it out to the airport, which was surprisingly empty. We got through security and on our plane without a hitch. We landed in San Juan without a delay. We stepped out of the airport and into the warm, slightly humid air, and I about cried tears of joy.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/53d0267a-b471-471d-9c6d-ee296c5c121a_zps9e3a35d6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/53d0267a-b471-471d-9c6d-ee296c5c121a_zps9e3a35d6.jpg" height="640" width="536" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obligatory airport selfie. Still anxious about getting to Puerto Rico.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/BFCFA357-0FB6-4E73-A22A-66B3E0C1E7E9_zpsfpdlwocc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/BFCFA357-0FB6-4E73-A22A-66B3E0C1E7E9_zpsfpdlwocc.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wednesday's morning view</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wednesday morning found us in Old San Juan, and we used the unexpected time to explore the city, delight in the beautiful architecture, and revel in the heat. When we were back in the hotel, packing up to go out to our accommodations in Isla Verde, I couldn't help myself - I had to check the flight status for those Thursday morning flights. And whadda you know? They were CANCELLED.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Boo. Yah.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/62CE60FA-9210-4B5C-A702-51746A63FE2B_zpsukfqdrg3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Puerto%20Rico%202014/62CE60FA-9210-4B5C-A702-51746A63FE2B_zpsukfqdrg3.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roasting and loving it</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-62609209905952485452014-02-07T06:00:00.000-05:002014-02-07T06:00:02.681-05:00Friday FavoritesIt has been TOO long since I've done a <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/search/label/Friday%20favorites">Friday Favorites</a>! Blame it on my busy season and not wanting to peruse the internet when I got home, blah, blah, blah, no one cares. <i>Anyway</i>, from the serious to the silly, here's some links you should be a clicking on:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/February%202014/3cb152ad-8803-4192-9238-09ec1e6883dd_zpsd4cb0acf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/February%202014/3cb152ad-8803-4192-9238-09ec1e6883dd_zpsd4cb0acf.jpg" height="640" width="414" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vest: Old Navy, Sweater: Joe Fresh, Skirt c/o <a href="http://koshercasual.com/">Kosher Casual</a>, Booties: H&amp;M</td></tr></tbody></table><br />- I love this jersey skirt from <a href="http://koshercasual.com/">Kosher Casual</a>. It's incredibly comfortable but is long enough and loose enough that I don't have to worry about showing off too much of my...uh...<b>ass</b>ets (that is of course assuming I have any).<br /><br />- Talking about needing stretchy skirts, I think I put on a few pounds just reading this Buzzfeed round-up of <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicamisener/31-grilled-cheeses-that-are-better-than-a-boyfriend">31 delicious grilled cheese recipes</a>. Totally worth it and will be even more worth it when I actually make these. Who wants to go through the list with me? Grilled-cheese lovers unite!<br /><br />- My other food link is <a href="http://www.thedailymuseblog.com/">Becca's </a>recipe for <a href="http://www.thedailymuseblog.com/2014/01/chocolate-dipped-mandarin-slices.html">chocolate-dipped mandarin slices</a>. I made these with coconut oil instead of shortening and dipped clementine and orange slices because that was what I had on hand. They were <i>deeee-licious</i>! And not all that bad for you too! Vin-vin.<br /><br />- You may or may not know, but New York's winter hasn't been the best this year. I know - I'm so dramatic! <a href="http://nypost.com/2014/02/05/weekend-storm-could-drop-3-or-30-inches-of-snow/">Or am I</a>? Unsurprisingly, I haven't been alone in my never-ending complaining, and Spencer sent me two hilarious articles about how sick everyone is of this weather (<a href="http://jezebel.com/entire-nation-is-sick-and-tired-of-this-bullshit-winter-1515673238">article 1</a> and <a href="http://gawker.com/we-must-build-a-new-new-york-city-somewhere-warm-1516648532">article 2</a>). Beware: these are on Jezebel and Gawker, so yeah, there is foul language.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/February%202014/819745a5-847d-4b17-b2e2-8f5ae33b5e78_zps56c9bf15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/February%202014/819745a5-847d-4b17-b2e2-8f5ae33b5e78_zps56c9bf15.jpg" height="640" width="484" /></a></div><br />- Ok, this isn't a link, but can we talk about how I haven't had serious bangs since I was like 6, and I am totally loving them? No, I don't style them like this, but I look like <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=cousin+it&amp;rlz=1C1ASUT_enUS503US503&amp;espv=210&amp;es_sm=122&amp;source=lnms&amp;tbm=isch&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=hgLzUpjKDpG1sATB7oHoDA&amp;ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&amp;biw=1366&amp;bih=639">Cousin It</a>&nbsp;in this picture, which makes me laugh and laugh.<br /><br />- On the more serious side, <a href="http://www.frecklesinapril.com/">Kayla </a>wrote a great <a href="http://www.frecklesinapril.com/2014/01/i-am-feminist.html">post </a>as to why feminism is still needed on the most basic of levels. And she doesn't even address more first-world gender issues like <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2014/01/lean-in-women-work-and-will-to-lead-by.html">inequality in the workplace</a>. (Just in case it's not crystal, I'm a feminist too. So is Spencer.)<br /><br />- Lastest and most seriousest, Buzzfeed's quiz on which <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/spenceralthouse/which-mean-girls-character-are-you?bftw">Mean Girls character you are</a>. Me? Well, I'm almost too gay to function :) #Damienismyhomeboy<br /><br />Now go ye, and click away!<br /><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-7553474002353138472014-02-06T06:00:00.000-05:002014-02-06T06:00:07.800-05:00The Great Lie of Our Generation<div style="text-align: justify;">"Follow your passion!" they say. "Do what you love!" they say. "And don't settle for anything else!"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yeah...that's a lie.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you are lucky enough to turn your interests into a viable career, then good for you! No, really, I'm so incredibly jealous. But here's the thing - people who can do that are most definitely in the minority, and telling everyone to try and do that only gives the rest of us complexes. This isn't to say that only a few people will like their job and everyone else will hate their job. Not at all! And that's why the whole "follow your passion" thing is such crap! You can like your job, be fulfilled by your job, and make money from your job without said job being something that you are in love with.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let's get personal with this. My passions in life are reading, exploring, eating, and laughing. I'm incredibly fascinated by World War II, gender inequality, baking, and Buzzfeed. Also, I feel very strongly about traveling the world and going to the beach. Oh! and I love makeup! So, with all those in mind, my ideal job would be...well...I have no idea. My interests are all over the place, and honestly, I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up. When people talk about having a wonderful dream job, I get stressed out. I didn't choose accounting! <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/12/happening-upon-career-in-business.html">It just happened!</a>&nbsp;Is this really what I should be doing??? Reading Forbes's 30 under 30 lists seriously depresses me. I freak out because I don't know my great passion, I don't have it all planned out, and <i>ohmigosh, have I settled?!?!&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the flip side, and this is incredibly important, I <i>like</i>&nbsp;my job. I get satisfaction out of completing my work, I get competitive pay, I have good benefits, I have a good work-life balance, I use my brain, and best of all, I look forward to spending time with my coworkers. And therein lies the crux of my beef with the whole "follow your passion" thing - you can learn to like something. You can cultivate interests. There are so many factors into making a good job "good" and just a small portion is what you actually <b>do</b>.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm not the only one who gets irritated at this great lie. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cal-newport/follow-your-passion-is-bizarre_b_4350869.html">Cal Newport</a> has spoken extensively about <a href="http://www.theminimalists.com/cal/">this subject</a>, and he's come to a similar conclusion (which is based on actual research and not his own frantic thoughts) that first we choose a job and then we learn to be passionate about it. I'm also not the only one who gets sad when hearing that stupid cliche. <a href="http://waitbutwhy.com/">Wait But Why</a> wrote a great post on The Huffington Post as to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wait-but-why/generation-y-unhappy_b_3930620.html">why so many Gen Y'ers aren't happy</a>. When I hear about people loving their amazing jobs, I'm Lucy! My expectations are too high! But when I get over finding my dream job, I realize that I have a great gig, and I'm happy again. As if we aren't under enough pressure in life as it is, we are expected to find that one amazing job that will gives us a life full of rainbows and unicorns! What's wrong with one that merely gives us satisfaction and a livable wage?&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've discussed this so many times lately, with Spencer, with friends, with co-workers, and I've decided, I'm not buying it anymore. I'll work hard at a good job and learn to love it. Maybe I'll switch careers, maybe I won't. Again, a few people will actually know their perfect job and be able to make a living off of it. The rest of us will have to do all of the other jobs (ie. accounting, legal work, etc.). I'm not saying to work at a job you hate or to do any random old thing. Similar to how many facets can make a job good, many aspects can also make a job unbearable. What I'm saying is that there is more than one job that will make you happy, and there are probably more of them than you realize.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-64425725476299148782014-02-03T06:00:00.000-05:002014-02-03T06:00:11.185-05:00Escaping the Polar Vortex<div style="text-align: justify;">Every year, right around this time, I break down and have a crying fit about how I hate the cold and want to move to either Southern California or Florida. Considering that this has easily been the coldest winter of my life, you think I'd have had like a minimum of 5 breakdowns by now. <i>However</i>, for the first time during an New York winter, Spencer and I are actually going somewhere warm! In nine, hopefully-short days, we will be flying down to sunny Puerto Rico! We'll be spending a week in Isla Verde, which is right outside of San Juan, living on the beach, hanging out in the city, and enjoying <a href="http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/San+Juan+PR+USPR0087:1:US">80 degree weather</a>.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/96/8a/20/968a20b6c4e16eab5d3a561684bd8db9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/96/8a/20/968a20b6c4e16eab5d3a561684bd8db9.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/10-best-city-beaches-in-the-world/8">source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Planning for Puerto Rico has been the only thing that got me through January. I read a tour guide book or two, scoured Trip Advisor, bought some new clothes, aaaand possibly packed weeks ago. Spencer walked into the bedroom while I was packing and cracked up. I just wanted to make sure it all fit on my carry-on, jeez!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, I have my bathing suits, my <a href="http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Sundress-In-Ombre/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2768826">sundress</a>, and in nine days, this pasty skin of mine will get nice and burned. Holla!<br /><br />P.S. Any recommendations for good beach reading?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-2247912768326941452014-01-28T18:12:00.000-05:002014-01-28T18:12:07.631-05:00Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41TknOCIZWL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41TknOCIZWL.jpg" height="400" width="241" /></a></div><br />I usually lump my book reviews by quarter (Q4 2013 is coming soon! Please, try to contain your excitement.), but sometimes a book needs a full post, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009LMTDL0/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B009LMTDL0&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=normeesou-20">Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg</a> is one of those. I know, I know - I'm super late to the "Lean In" game. I had read all the articles and other recaps of this book (like <a href="http://definitelyra.wordpress.com/2013/08/23/lean-in/">RA's</a> and <a href="http://www.everyday-reading.com/2013/05/lean-in-women-work-and-will-to-lead-by.html">Janssen's</a>), but it wasn't until I was on a big non-fiction audio book spree that I finally read (or listened to) this book. Bless audio books, they are the only way I can read non-fiction. Have I said that before? Probably.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, Lean In. I didn't love it; there's a lot I disagree with or that just plain annoyed me. But! there's a lot of good in this book. I think the message is incredibly important, and I applaud Sheryl Sandberg for her efforts in defending women's rights, specifically in the work place. She's taken a difficult road and has already gotten flack for it. As a woman in the workforce, I have witnessed gender discrimination first-hand. Anyone who tries to say that it doesn't exist anymore is straight-up lying. True, thanks to the tireless efforts of countless women, gender inequality today is nothing like the gender inequality from yesteryear; however, it is still gender inequality. Snaps to Sheryl for addressing this issue.<br /><br />There are two things that I particularly agree with in Lean In - 1. that if more women are in power, then our world as a whole will have more gender equality as women will be in the position to affect the needed change, and 2. the American corporate environment discriminates against parents of both genders and that needs to be stopped. I feel very strongly about the last one, and it's something Spencer and I have discussed many times.<br /><br />I'm so grateful to be married to a man who doesn't ascribe to society's gender roles. If the dishes need to be done, Spencer does them. He regularly does grocery shopping, cleans the bathroom, vacuums, and is willing to cook (due to our varying skills in the kitchen, I'm usually cooking. But he's willing!). This is all assuming he's not working his brains out; our division of housework is directly correlated to whomever is busier at work. Anyway, I can't tell you how many times he's expressed support in regards to me going grad school, having a career, and if I have the more demanding and lucrative job, to him staying home with our future children. I love all of this about him so much, and yet, people look down on stay-at-home dads. Guys who do housework are mocked. And while women get crappy maternity leave (only 12 weeks unpaid? seriously?), at least we get it! Men are lucky to get one week! Sheryl Sandberg asks how can we expect men to bond with their children and feel the desire to help out with their care if they never get the chance to be with them, and she's so right. Men should be encouraged to pick up their children from daycare, not laughed at. Men who stay home with the kids should not have their manhood be questioned. And this is just making the workplace friendlier to fathers; there's still MANY issues with the workplace and mothers, flexible schedules/face time, maternity leave, and job advancement to name a few. I have so many thoughts about the corporate environment and parenthood, and like Sheryl Sandberg says, I do believe a lot of this would be at least somewhat fixed if we had more women in power.<br /><br />I feel slightly hypocritical touting the benefits of having more women in power when, honestly, I have no desire for power myself. Oh, sure, I'm super bossy and love to tell Spencer what to do, but when it comes to work? Getting to an executive-level position requires so much of your life, and I hold my work-life balance very dear. I love going into the office (most days), and I love working on my silly little spreadsheets (most days). I love getting my paycheck ALL days. :) However, I think I love it so much because I can also leave at a decent hour, go home, and do whatever the heck I want without worrying about work until the next morning. I can't have that attitude if I want to be an executive, so...I don't want to be an executive. Children will only make this so much harder. In fact, Sheryl Sandberg writes that women whose husbands work more than 50 hours a week are much less likely to go back to work after having children. I WISH Spencer only worked 50 hours a week; instead, it's frequently more like 70 or 80. I can see why these women don't go back; I'll have so little help with childcare, not because Spencer won't want to, because he won't be able to leave the office. This mean I'll need a flexible, less-demanding job, which means pulling back a bit. And here's my main beef with Ms. Sandberg.<br /><br />Sheryl Sandberg tells the story of a woman who was offered a fantastic, high-up job at a big bank. This woman, because she had a young daughter, decided not to take the job and took a slower-paced job instead. Ten years later, this woman achieved the job that she was offered so many years ago, and the woman stated regret for delaying her career by a decade. Sheryl uses this an example as to why women should "lean in" and not put their careers on the slow track. <i>*record scratch*</i> say what?!?! I think it's wonderful that this woman slowed down her career to spend more time with her daughter! If you want to stay on the fast track, Sheryl, by all means, go ahead. I don't think that makes you any less of a mother. But don't look down on a woman who decides to prioritize her time and job a bit differently. That's girl-on-girl crime! I think Sheryl Sandberg's editors realized that her opinions could offend many people because she spends so much of the book, including following this story, back-tracking her opinions. Sheryl's all "get power! don't hurt your career!" and then quickly says "but if you want to stay home, that's cool too." <i>mmm-hmmm!</i>&nbsp;I see what you did there. Frankly, I'd prefer it if women AND men took slower tracks at work in order to spend time with their kids, which loops back up to how we need to change the corporate environment so people can spend time with their families and still get ahead at work.<br /><br />My other issue with Sheryl Sandberg is that I found her annoying. As mentioned, she backtracked all the time and, even worse, tried to ascribed her own neuroses and insecurities to all of womanhood. She tells a few stories about how she was unwilling to let others know of her accomplishments and how girls do that and hold themselves back. I'm like, oh, hold up! I will loudly and proudly tell others of my merits, don't you worry! I kinda rolled my eyes whenever Sheryl Sandberg told her own stories, which are fascinating and amazing but annoying when coupled with her downplaying. Maybe it was an attempt to seem humble and not offend others, but girl! Preach it! You are the COO of Facebook! You have an incredible career, so stop trying to make it seem ordinary!<br /><br />Even with my issues with Lean In, I think everyone should read it. Since doing so, I put much of her advice into practice, and it has benefited me. Just because I'm not gunning for a C-level job doesn't mean I don't want to do the best I can. <a href="http://definitelyra.wordpress.com/2013/08/23/lean-in/">RA </a>writes at length about leaning into your job, even if you want to stay at a nice, mid-level position, and she got what I want to do, spot-on. If nothing else, I'm happy to have read the book to know Sheryl Sandberg's mother's story, which is really quite beautiful in all its ordinary ambition.&nbsp;</div><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-87879283858747977202014-01-23T12:26:00.000-05:002014-01-23T12:26:35.705-05:002013 - A Year in Review<div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/45AE9EEA-EEA7-4C1D-B176-6567E9EB6753-975-000000B1E982E4F0_zpsdc0cdf37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/45AE9EEA-EEA7-4C1D-B176-6567E9EB6753-975-000000B1E982E4F0_zpsdc0cdf37.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possibly my favorite pic of us from 2013 - never fails to make me laugh</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Oh, 2013 - you were good to me. I have to admit, you weren't my favorite of years (2008 and <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/01/looking-back-at-2012.html">2012 </a>take the cake), and you served me some not-so-great stuff, but overall, we had a good time.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here's some of the highlights from 2013:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/11/tri-borough-saturday.html">Biking</a> <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/09/life-lately.html">all about</a> the city, going to <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/10/bonjour-montreal.html">Montreal</a>, the best <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/10/26-birthday-of-surprises.html">birthday </a>I've had in a long time (also, still loving 26 so far!), <a href="http://www.frecklesinapril.com/2013/10/in-which-my-head-nearly-explodes.html">best </a><a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/08/weekend-with-sarah.html">friends </a>coming to visit me, Spencer's sister's&nbsp;<a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/08/48-hours-in-utah.html">wedding</a>, a family reunion on each side (Outer Banks <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/07/outer-banks-2013.html">1</a>/<a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/07/outer-banks-2013-activities.html">2</a> and Heber <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/07/turley-family-reunion-mondaytuesday.html">1</a>/<a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/08/turley-family-reunion-wednesdaythursday.html">2</a>/<a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/08/turley-family-reunion.html">3</a>), going out <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/06/in-which-i-act-my-age-nyc-style.html">clubbing </a>into the wee hours of the night for the first (and probably last) time in NYC, going up to the lake or out to the beach on summer weekends, doing not <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/05/ragnar-relay-cape-cod.html">one</a> but <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/10/i-dont-know-about-you-but-im-feeling.html">two </a>ragnar relays!, running a handful of other races in the city,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/04/all-in-one-weekend.html">Easter weekend</a> with my entire family and my sister's baptism, spending a chill <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/12/giving-thanks.html">Thanksgiving </a>in the city, throwing my first-ever, truly grown-up <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/12/erica-and-hediyehs-christmas.html">Christmas party</a>, and going to Maine three times (<a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/02/good-times-at-abbey.html">1</a>/<a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/06/why-coldest-memorial-day-weekend-of-my.html">2</a>/<a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2014/01/christmas-in-maine.html">3</a>).&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sadly, I didn't accomplish all that I wanted to in 2013. Some of it is slightly silly stuff like running the NYC Marathon (but I'll do it in 2015!) or going to Europe (unsurprisingly, family reunions took all my vaycay time). Some of it was more serious stuff, which I'm working my way towards being ready to discuss publicly. Not there yet, but soon-ish.<br /><br />Those trying times aside, 2013 really was a great year, and I have even higher hopes for 2014! Now let's see if I can stop dating every.single.thing. "2012." Whoops.<br /><br /></div><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-84640065311404073092014-01-22T06:00:00.000-05:002014-01-22T06:00:09.160-05:00Christmas in Maine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4851_zpsd7fd06c2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4851_zpsd7fd06c2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><br />For the first time since before I was married, I actually had a week-long Christmas break in which I did <i>nothing</i>. Other than cook dinner for the week (it was my Christmas gift to my parents as we do handmade Christmases), I didn't do much else other than play games, frolic in the snow, and watch movies. It was so perfectly therapeutic, and I fell in love with Maine all over again. Now for a photo dump!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The week started with freezing rain, which was one of the craziest things I've ever seen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4818_zps9754ad48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4818_zps9754ad48.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4839_zps560044f9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4839_zps560044f9.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My sisters are the cutest, I know.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4810_zps642f0907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4810_zps642f0907.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Christmas morning!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4864_zps5a1abdd0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4864_zps5a1abdd0.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Showing off our new Christmas pajamas! Handmade by Mommy Dearest!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4866_zpsd5df31e1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4866_zpsd5df31e1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After presents, we went outside to snow shoe and throw...ice.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/fc87dac8-813b-4847-b714-a4838d1138f0_zpsf73226c6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/fc87dac8-813b-4847-b714-a4838d1138f0_zpsf73226c6.jpg" height="640" width="592" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4881_zpsb37f95a5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4881_zpsb37f95a5.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Again, I have the cutest siblings.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4902_zps68fb4ab3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4902_zps68fb4ab3.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Other tidbits - Spencer and I went to the most picturesque inn for our 5th anniversary dinner. And thrift stores in tiny towns have darling signs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4916_zps2444b604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4916_zps2444b604.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4925_zpsa077debc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_4925_zpsa077debc.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We came back to Maine last weekend with some friends, and I gotta say, with family or friends, I absolutely cannot get enough of that place.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q57kTXOGuKI/Ut831_KuDSI/AAAAAAAABzU/mqMoakWSz24/s1600/IMG_5041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q57kTXOGuKI/Ut831_KuDSI/AAAAAAAABzU/mqMoakWSz24/s1600/IMG_5041.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-81057425652220313662013-12-19T14:43:00.002-05:002013-12-19T14:43:44.714-05:00Makeup and Vanity and Other Things I love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/IMG_2585_zps6ebb5061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/IMG_2585_zps6ebb5061.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/1bd791d5-92c8-432a-ad0a-5b99972c4108_zpsf365852d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/1bd791d5-92c8-432a-ad0a-5b99972c4108_zpsf365852d.jpg" width="466" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cardigan: c/o <a href="http://www.sammydress.com/product322501.html">Sammy Dress</a>, Dress: Thrifted, Belt: Joe Fresh, Tights: Target, Wedges: Old Navy</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I'm already posting pictures of my silly little outfit, so let's go ahead and make this post as frivolous as possible, alright?<br /><br />- I just quickly need to mention how I wear that cardigan/sweater basically every.single.day. It's a blanket with sleeves! But looks better than a snuggie, right? <i>Right?!?!</i><br /><i><br /></i>- My obsession with makeup has hit an all-time, embarrassing high. I spent an entire evening watching YouTube tutorials, for pete's sake! I'm especially obsessed with "highlighting and contouring," and the entire internet seems to agree that this is the <a href="http://www.maskcara.com/2012/11/10/hac-yourself-flawless/">best HAC tutorial</a>. Skinnify-ing your nose caught my large-nosed attention immediately. But I have to admit, I'm completely torn about all this. Part of me is all, reject society's standards of beauty! We are beautiful as we are! And, whether you think this is the height of vanity or not, I am generally happy with my looks (most of the time). Hopefully you all think you are pretty because you ARE. So there's that side of me, and then the other goes, "ooo! I can skinny my nose and un-fat my cheeks? Awesome!" See? Torn.<br /><br />- Attending a bunch of holiday parties makes me happy because they are legitimate excuses for lipstick. My current favorite lip color is <a href="http://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=439214710&amp;pid=uid2400-9077820-13&amp;utm_medium=widget&amp;utm_source=Product+Link">MAC Diva</a> with <a href="http://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=214833940&amp;pid=uid2400-9077820-13&amp;utm_medium=widget&amp;utm_source=Product+Link">Sephora's Always Red lip stain</a> on top. (seen&nbsp;<a href="http://instagram.com/p/iDGZ2aPKyG/">here</a>)<br /><br />- Speaking of vanity, I had my eyebrows waxed for the first time ever, and then, I got them tinted! (that was after these pictures were taken.) I'm still taken back a bit each time I look in the mirror (what is that on my face?!), but I love them and <i>might </i>keep doing this in the future. Hey! This dark brow trend is difficult on a blondie like me, ok?<br /><br />- For my last bit of this completely vain and frivolous post, that sparkly belt? Game changer.<br /><br />I'll end this now before we lose any more brain cells. &nbsp;Vapidity, thy name be Erica.<br /><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-78999425311479951972013-12-17T15:15:00.000-05:002013-12-17T15:15:08.157-05:00Erica and Hediyeh's Christmas Extravaganza Slash Spencer's Birthday Party<div style="text-align: justify;">There are many markers into adulthood - starting a career, getting married, living on your own, and most importantly, throwing a large, non-potluck party. As of this past weekend, I think I can finally call myself an grown woman since my friend Hediyeh and I threw a Christmas extravaganza and did all the prep ourselves (well, our husbands helped a bit. and just kidding about being an adult - I'll never grow up!).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/4b017833-7708-47b9-bb5c-51c006525a49_zps6e89c8eb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/4b017833-7708-47b9-bb5c-51c006525a49_zps6e89c8eb.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dear Hediyeh - my favorite part might have been grocery shopping together. Let's do that more often.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Because I always forget important details, we don't have any pictures of people at the party, but look! pictures of the food!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/4f78f224-720e-45e2-8afa-e455e188a1cd_zps81a59210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/4f78f224-720e-45e2-8afa-e455e188a1cd_zps81a59210.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_2597_zps3e2bf5e9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_2597_zps3e2bf5e9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Do you want to hear the menu? Of course you do! There was <a href="http://sayyestohoboken.com/2006/12/holiday-salad.html">holiday salad</a> (recipe here), cheese and crackers, grapes, carrot sticks, apple salsa, <a href="http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2011/12/cranberry-jalapeno-cream-cheese-dip-sugar-rush-reinvented-7.html">cranberry salsa</a>, spiced dip, spinach artichoke dip, chips, rice krispie treats, ginger snap cookies, peppermint sugar cookies, white-chocolate cranberry cookies, <a href="http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2010/12/butter-toffee-popcorn-sugar-rush-3.html">butter toffee popcorn</a>, and cocktail franks from Costco. Guess what was the first thing to be eaten up? Cocktail franks! Duh!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/93996217-3102-418f-a54f-7505638100d2_zpsedf3c9b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/93996217-3102-418f-a54f-7505638100d2_zpsedf3c9b1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">People very graciously asked what what they could bring to the party, and I got such a sense of satisfaction in telling them "nothing!" On the other hand, my next get-together will <i>most definitely</i> be potluck.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In addition, we had little bowls of candy among the tea lights, Christmas decorations, and roaring (YouTube) fire.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_2598_zpse40bbd55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_2598_zpse40bbd55.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Umm, can we talk about how Pete and Hediyeh have a view of the Chrysler Building from their apartment? I...do not have that view.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_2624_zpsb297b66a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/IMG_2624_zpsb297b66a.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See those cone-shaped lights to the left of the tree? Yup, that's the Chrysler Building.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/d4d0b763-be7f-4743-b082-612e8647decf_zpsa7844944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/d4d0b763-be7f-4743-b082-612e8647decf_zpsa7844944.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two are the best for letting us invade their home.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally, let's not forget the real reason for the season - Spencer's birthday! Yes, the holiday party was on his birthday because he's a gem and didn't care. OR you could say we threw him a really fantastic birthday party. Let's go with the latter. Even though he asked me not to, I made him a cake (<a href="http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2013/11/apple-dapple-cake-with-warm-vanilla-cream-sauce.html">apple-spice</a>), and everyone sang Happy Birthday to the best lawyer who makes me laugh constantly and puts up with my (many) shenanigans with insane amounts of patience. Don't worry, love - next year, Christmas will have to make way for YOU (it will be the big 3-0!).&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/7e420779-968f-447f-981e-ed69023be8bc_zps066eeda1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Christmas%202013/7e420779-968f-447f-981e-ed69023be8bc_zps066eeda1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, yeah, yeah - the couple that wears plaid together, blah, blah and all that.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Other Christmas-y things to happen lately were attending a local church's carol sing-along/tree lighting. It's right around the block from us, and at the end, all of the trees up and down Park Avenue get lit! So fun!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xwR13To2gew/UrCv69mxnSI/AAAAAAAAByc/NuLfKTRRG_U/s1600/IMG_4541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xwR13To2gew/UrCv69mxnSI/AAAAAAAAByc/NuLfKTRRG_U/s400/IMG_4541.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We also attended a white elephant exchange in which this happened:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8GcvJOYjJE/UrCv7eCkjMI/AAAAAAAAByg/QNh1ji_MnlA/s1600/IMG_4540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8GcvJOYjJE/UrCv7eCkjMI/AAAAAAAAByg/QNh1ji_MnlA/s640/IMG_4540.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This might be one of my favorite pics of 2013.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">And then I ran a race in the snow and had a stupid grin on my face the whole time:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DTXoK6QixRE/UrCv6unVekI/AAAAAAAAByk/_dDP9uneCDo/s1600/IMG_4678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DTXoK6QixRE/UrCv6unVekI/AAAAAAAAByk/_dDP9uneCDo/s640/IMG_4678.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got a ton of snow on Saturday, and it's been snowing most of today. what.the.what.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">I love this month.</div><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-46137122915465662362013-12-11T06:00:00.000-05:002013-12-11T06:00:11.012-05:00Zero Waste Fails<div style="text-align: justify;">Right after reading <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/06/chemical-free-vs-zero-waste.html">Zero Waste Home</a>, I was wildly gung-ho about eliminating trash. "Waste none of the things!" was my motto. And then, real life settled in, and I found an equilibrium between my pre-zero-waste and post-zero-waste lifestyles. Some trash-eliminating measures I've been surprising good at, like my <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/07/zero-wastechemical-free-skin-routine.html">skin routine</a>, <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/08/zero-waste-reusables.html">reusable water bottles and bags</a>, and <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/02/pinterest-challenge-diy-coconut-oil.html">coconut oil deodorant</a>. Other things? Ehh...not so good. Here's some of my attempts at eliminating waste that failed miserably:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/1d530138-6152-4a9b-8e5c-7aa0c98d5b84_zps0b377f37.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/1d530138-6152-4a9b-8e5c-7aa0c98d5b84_zps0b377f37.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Online shopping - I was determined to buy as little as humanly possible online because think of the carbon footprint! But then I realized that I <i>like </i>online shopping, it's easier, and frequently cheaper. Hence, my revolve to abstain from online shopping dissipated, but luckily for me, the guilt still remains. "Do you know how many baby trees and bunnies and fishies and all things darling you are killing by ordering that skirt online?" my conscious likes to remind me. I went ahead and got a <a href="http://birch.ly/1bUGc9p">Birch Box</a> subscription anyway. And I feel bad about it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paper at work - I have to print a lot of things at work; it's unavoidable. However, I could definitely cut down on the extraneous printing that ends up in the trash (because there is no recycling bin. I KNOW). And I tried!!! I'd print something off, realized I didn't need it, and save it for scrap paper. Or, I'd write information down on the scrap paper (taking forever) instead of printing off a page that I didn't <i>really</i>&nbsp;need. Finally, with a messy desk full of paper and time wasted on writing crap down, I said screw it - back to printing stuff off. BUT! Only when writing it down would be a lot of work. I still try to reuse scrap paper as much as possible, but I'm not killing myself over it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Utensils at work - Want to talk about wasteful? I use paper plates and plastic utensils for breakfast and lunch every day because I eat at work. Sure, I take my lunch, but I frequently put it on a plate, and I definitely use utensils to eat. Our kitchen has a set of silverware, and I attempted to switch to that. One morning, as I grabbed my cereal in a cup, I got a reusable spoon and told myself that I'd return it to the kitchen and wash it. After finishing said cereal, doing what I've done for 4 years, I threw the cup o' cereal out in the garbage can behind my desk. It wasn't until the <b>following day</b>&nbsp;that I realized that I also threw out the spoon. FAIL. I haven't tried to use the real spoons since then.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Food in general - Bulk bins in NYC? ABSURDLY EXPENSIVE. I do buy at Costco, and I do buy bulk bags, but yes! Much of my food comes wrapped or bagged or carton-ed! I don't make homemade bread or almond milk (well, not regularly) and homemade yogurt? No gracias! Just another zero waste fail.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1451697686/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1451697686&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=normeesou-20">Bea Johnson</a>, please never read this.</div><br /><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-19099705932836751062013-12-09T06:00:00.000-05:002014-01-17T12:57:23.787-05:00Happening upon a Career in Business<div class="blogher_content"><script src="http://ads.blogherads.com/bh/32/322/322229/1154801/campaigns/14/1435/1435230/x90.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><div class="MsoNormal">When I tell people that I work as an accountant, they understandably but incorrectly assume that I studied Accounting, or maybe Business, in college. In fact, the degree is actually in Sociology, and I graduated with full intentions of getting my Master’s in Social Work and becoming a social worker. So how did I become an accountant then? Well, I just fell into it. And I’m so glad I did.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">I graduated college in August of 2009 and moved to New York City with my husband so he could attend law school. I then went out into the workforce, looking for a job that would provide for two people in Manhattan. That was no mean feat with only a bachelor’s degree in a social science and very little work experience, and looking mostly in the non-profit arena. Therefore, I turned to business – the industry I swore I’d never work for. Almost reluctantly, I took a job as an Administrative Assistant to the Accounting department at an investment firm, and thus began my career not only in business but also in finance of all places.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Not too long after I started my job, my boss, the head of the accounting department, asked if I’d like to take on some accounting tasks. I jumped at the opportunity to do something other than answer phones, and I started learning about those little things called “debits” and “credits” and such. In addition to my on-the-job training, my company sent me to accounting classes after work, giving me theoretical as well as practical knowledge about accounting. Those classes made a huge difference in how quickly I was able to do my new tasks at work, and I loved knowing not just how to do my work but why I did it that way. Eventually, I was promoted at work and became a full-blown accountant after about a year. &nbsp;</div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Here’s the real shocker though, or at least it was to me – I actually enjoy accounting! I like business! It’s not as cut and dry as I expected, and I really enjoy the work that I do. One of my favorite aspects about accounting, and business in general, is how flexible it is. I can work for myself, I can work part-time, full-time, at a small company, at a large company. And I swear, there are as many different types of accounting as there are fish in the sea. As a college student, I never in a million years thought I’d have a career in business, and yet, here I am, and I’m as happy as can be about it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/SpencersGraduation016.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/SpencersGraduation016.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If it weren't for this guy and that pesky thing called law school, I might never have gotten in a career in accounting, so thanks, Spencer.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whether you’re seeking further success in your current role or a new opportunity, Kaplan University can help you prepare for the exciting possibilities ahead.*<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As an accredited university built on more than 75 years of experience,† Kaplan University offers a wide range of career-focused programs designed to develop the skills and knowledge leading employers seek. Our focus: to offer you the most direct educational path to achieve your goals.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Are you ready for a change? &nbsp;Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="http://goo.gl/ktzPQC" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">kaplanuniversity.edu</span></a>.&nbsp;<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">* Kaplan University cannot guarantee employment or career advancement.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">† Kaplan University is regionally accredited. Please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu/about/accreditation-licensing.aspx" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">http://www.<wbr></wbr>kaplanuniversity.edu/about/<wbr></wbr>accreditation-licensing.aspx#</span></a>&nbsp;<wbr></wbr>for additional information about institutional and programmatic accreditation.</span></div></div><script src="http://ads.blogherads.com/bh/32/322/322229/1154801/campaigns/14/1435/1435230/x92.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-86457275139803183092013-12-02T06:00:00.000-05:002013-12-02T21:33:54.500-05:00Giving thanks<div style="text-align: justify;">Thanksgiving might be my favorite holiday, mostly because I love food and any excuse to over-eat is good with me. Actually, I love the idea of sitting around with your loved ones - family and friends - and everyone expressing gratitude for their blessings. I like that it's a spiritual experience but not a religious-specific one, and I defy anyone who says they don't feel peace and love when talking about what they are thankful for.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/6075FF3D-A366-4FF2-AA18-213F7A929D16_zpseo2sbguz.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/6075FF3D-A366-4FF2-AA18-213F7A929D16_zpseo2sbguz.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This year, Spencer and I had a pretty chill Thanksgiving. I had to work on Friday, and my in-laws are in California to see their new grandchild, so we stayed in the city and had Friends-giving. We saw the parade balloons be inflated Wednesday night and then walked across the park on Thursday and caught the last half of the parade. Afterwards, Spencer and I experienced a very New York Thanksgiving by eating the most delicious Thanksgiving dinner in a tiny apartment with 10 other people. No joke - I sat on our friends' bed while eating my meal, haha!&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/3F310055-69CD-4C02-B5FF-DF6A7316B697_zpsl2bxdwht.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/3F310055-69CD-4C02-B5FF-DF6A7316B697_zpsl2bxdwht.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Santaaaa!!!!!</i> And considering we woke up at 9 am, I'd say this view was perfect.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The rest of the weekend was just as wonderfully chill and full of together time as after work on Friday, we went to a friend's house to help trim their tree and eat their leftovers. Saturday was <i>Catching Fire</i>&nbsp;at 10 am (loved it!), followed by napping, reading an entire book, and doing laundry. Sunday saw us at church, napping and reading some more, and polishing off our own leftovers. To say I had the Sunday-night blues after this long, perfect weekend is a vast understatement.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As Thanksgiving approached, I tried to think of what I was especially grateful for in 2013. 2012 was full of large life changes (new apartment, Spencer's graduation, and his job) that made that question "what are you grateful for?" easily answered. 2013, on the other hand, was much more of a chill year - a great one but not particularly outstanding. Anyway, I did some pondering, and here's a few things I've been particularly thankful for this year:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Wonderful friends. Living in New York means that people are constantly cycling in and out of the city, and we've had a LOT of friends move in the two years, which never gets any easier and I miss terribly all those who have moved away. Luckily, Spencer and I have made some fantastic friends this year, and we've had a really fun year. Then I have my work friends who make those monotonous work days go by so much faster! We chat and laugh, and I couldn't survive my days without them. And how can I not mention <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/2013/10/26-birthday-of-surprises.html">my internet friends</a>, especially those who become real life friends? I truly have an over-abundance of good friends, and I do not deserve them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Spencer's vacation policy. Spencer works his tiny hiney off, but thankfully, his company also has a decently lax vacation policy, and he's been able to take a good amount of time off this second half of this year. (It almost makes up for those multiple all-nighters at the office. Almost but not quite.) He took the entire Thanksgiving week off, did all the grocery shopping and cleaning, and tailored some of my clothes with his brand-new sewing machine. On top of that, we've spent more time together at home in the past two weeks than we had in over a year. Honestly, I had forgotten what is was like to spend a weeknight with him, and I'm glad I got to remember.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/78090186-9E3F-497C-8A76-264C0CDB80E8_zps1jktjf8o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/78090186-9E3F-497C-8A76-264C0CDB80E8_zps1jktjf8o.jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dish duties have lessened by like 70% since this hottie has been around so much. No better way to capture my heart.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">- Cooking. This might sound silly, but yeah, I'm grateful for cooking, which I didn't do for the majority of 2013. With Spencer working late and getting dinner at the office, I rarely cooked at all this year up until a couple of weeks ago, when I decided to start making a menu with real dinners once again. I had forgotten how much I love to cook, and oddly, how good it makes me feel about myself. Even if the food doesn't taste all that great, something about making a dish from scratch really boosts my self-esteem (as if it needed to be any higher, bah!). My crowning glory this year was my first homemade flaky-crust pie that I made for Thanksgiving - a cherry one complete with lattice top.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/681a90e2-fd9e-4654-a371-7a0965c4316a_zps98ca1b3e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/681a90e2-fd9e-4654-a371-7a0965c4316a_zps98ca1b3e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didn't taste too bad neither</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">- Patience. I am NOT a patient person, and I think many trials in my life are to teach me patience, which I'm definitely learning way too slowly. Thankfully, between Spencer helping me and turning to God for peace, I've been able to acquire some much-needed patience as I've struggled this year with career-related questions and our infertility issues (both of these things are still on-going).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Technology, mostly so I can see my family regularly and get pictures likes this of my sweet niece:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/782210DC-0F51-4AEE-9BDC-24E4F5B3D897-975-000000B25A4EC38B_zpsd6aee7b9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/782210DC-0F51-4AEE-9BDC-24E4F5B3D897-975-000000B25A4EC38B_zpsd6aee7b9.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was right before she tried to eat the phone, haha! And please ignore my face.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other 2013 stand-outs are <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/search/label/Utah">family reunions</a>, <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/search/label/running">running</a>&nbsp;(especially those ragnars!), biking, and <a href="http://www.northmeetssouthblog.com/search/label/traveling">trips we taken</a>. I guess I have to retract my earlier statement - 2013 really has been an outstanding year. &nbsp; &nbsp;<br /><br /></div><a href="http://msw.usc.edu/"> <img 0="" alt="Gratitude Campaign Badge" class="alignleft border=" src="http://msw.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/My3Thanks-GratitudeBadge.png" width="150" /></a><br />USC’s <a href="http://msw.usc.edu/mswusc-blog/the-gratitude-campaign-call-for-submissions">Gratitude Campaign</a><br /><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-88025359459512422962013-11-26T06:00:00.000-05:002013-11-26T06:00:10.539-05:00Gift Guide - Stocking Stuffers<div style="text-align: justify;">Spencer and I don't really buy each other Christmas gifts because we always end up buying whatever we want ourselves. So I came up with the brilliant idea that if we ever don't have Christmas with our parents (hahah! like we will over grow up), we can fill each other's stockings. (I also want him to fill my stocking because to this day I <i>refuse </i>to see my stocking until Christmas morning. I'll happily wrap gifts and place them under the tree, but hide my stocking! I want <b>some</b>&nbsp;surprises!). Under the assumption that Spencer was filling my stocking, or just buying me gifts in general <i>*wink, wink*</i>, here's some of the non-food things I'd like to be stuffed in there:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROfUTq2QOLM/UpQWh-ZY8tI/AAAAAAAABxs/YpOMqOzNaFc/s1600/stocking+stuffers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROfUTq2QOLM/UpQWh-ZY8tI/AAAAAAAABxs/YpOMqOzNaFc/s1600/stocking+stuffers.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><a href="http://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=437724368&amp;pid=uid2400-9077820-13&amp;utm_medium=widget&amp;utm_source=Product+Link">1.</a> I can never have enough warm socks, especially cute ones. I bought a pair of Uniqlo's Heattech socks, and they are amaze-balls. All the warmth but none of the bulk of wool socks? Yes, please.<br /><br /><a href="http://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=437458634&amp;pid=uid2400-9077820-13&amp;utm_medium=widget&amp;utm_source=Product+Link">2.</a> Much like warm socks, tights are a necessity in New York, and I prefer to have a variety of colors and patterns to keep my outfits fresh. How darling are the little foxes? (What does the fox say? Buy these cute tights, that's what.)<br /><br /><a href="http://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=436747035&amp;pid=uid2400-9077820-13&amp;utm_medium=widget&amp;utm_source=Product+Link">3.</a> Variety is obviously not my strong point, but grey fleeced-lined leggings are basically my dream come true.<br /><br /><a href="http://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=432475469&amp;pid=uid2400-9077820-13&amp;utm_medium=widget&amp;utm_source=Product+Link">4.</a> My kitchen towels are starting to look a little...um...well-loved. These bright, striped towels would go perfectly with my attempts to add color to an all-white and beige kitchen. (oh the trials of a renter!)<br /><br /><a href="http://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=244181394&amp;pid=uid2400-9077820-13&amp;utm_medium=widget&amp;utm_source=Product+Link">5.</a> I've raved about this chapstick before, and I'm fresh (lol) out of the ones that I got from Christmas last year. My lips be supa' chapped this fall (I refuse to acknowledge winter until December whatever-it-is). Bring on the Sugar!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/124783910/rose-gold-love-knot-earrings-tiny-stud?ref=favs_view_2">6.</a> The only earrings I wear these days are studs, and I'm in love with the <a href="http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?sku=11775519">Tiffany's knot earrings</a>, which are muy expensive. These rose-gold ones are a beautiful and much cheaper alternative.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/108995936/super-skinny-stack-rings-set-of-3-solid?ref=favs_view_4">7.</a> Ok, these are a bit much, but it <i>is</i> our 5th anniversary two days after Christmas. Aaaaand...I want them. So there.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/HARE-MOROCCAN-MAGIC-GREEN-LIPSTICK-TURNS-PINK-WHEN-APPLIED-/111093175486?pt=US_Makeup_Lips&amp;hash=item19ddab54be">8.</a> You all know I'm obsessed with lipstick, and a $4 one that creates a stain in the perfect pink for your skintone? I'm sold.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SSTNLG/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B000SSTNLG&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=normeesou-20">9.</a> Shockingly, I don't have any ramekins. It's about time, right?<br /><br /><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-84877229408159803452013-11-19T06:00:00.000-05:002013-11-19T14:01:38.595-05:00Tri-borough Saturday<div style="text-align: justify;">Saturday was one of those days where November goes "hey! hey! I know y'all love October, but I can be pretty baller too." And then the weather is unseasonably warm and it's super sunny, and you can't help but be like "Aww, November! You ol' softy!" It's all very touching.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Clearly, we have no option but to take advantage of such a fabulous day, and Spencer and I went on a (not so) little bike ride, the first stop being Queens. We've all seen the instagrams of <a href="http://5ptz.com/">5 Pointz</a>, but I didn't realize until Thursday that it was being <a href="http://gothamist.com/2013/11/17/photos_hundreds_rally_to_save_5_poi.php#photo-1">torn down</a> at the end of this year. Down the east side and over the Queensboro Bridge we went to check out the graffiti haven, which was quite incredible. I am so amazed at what people can do with spray paint.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/45AE9EEA-EEA7-4C1D-B176-6567E9EB6753-975-000000B1E982E4F0_zpsdc0cdf37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/45AE9EEA-EEA7-4C1D-B176-6567E9EB6753-975-000000B1E982E4F0_zpsdc0cdf37.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too cool for smiling</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/92F671CB-CC01-4AD9-B324-7E16CAC30E30-975-000000B1E3A14DEA_zps85553616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/92F671CB-CC01-4AD9-B324-7E16CAC30E30-975-000000B1E3A14DEA_zps85553616.jpg" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's like impressionism spray painting. Could that be any cooler?</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/2EE6ABF1-5BE8-4373-9E83-63A41107A0EE-975-000000B20232EEAB_zps8e0a193a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/2EE6ABF1-5BE8-4373-9E83-63A41107A0EE-975-000000B20232EEAB_zps8e0a193a.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quintessential New York (or what non-New Yorkers think the city is) - trash and graffiti&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/1EDBA525-B4D4-47C9-BA86-CF9B4D367B75-975-000000B20D7F4CF6_zps9c5a0e21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/1EDBA525-B4D4-47C9-BA86-CF9B4D367B75-975-000000B20D7F4CF6_zps9c5a0e21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Then, we kipped down another bridge into Brooklyn. Oh, Brooklyn - I'm a Manhattanite through and through, but you do have the views and the bike lanes. The bike lanes! Things of beauty, those are.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/45570F7D-940B-49C3-A645-6B7022F3409D-975-000000B255EA5569_zpsa5d41043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa372/ericacm87/Fall%202013/45570F7D-940B-49C3-A645-6B7022F3409D-975-000000B255EA5569_zpsa5d41043.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">From Brooklyn, we crossed the Williamsburg Bridge (seen walking over <a href="http://sayyestohoboken.com/2013/11/sites-and-bites-new-york-city.html">here</a>), biked all the way up the East River, into Harlem for some produce, and then back home. I'm embarrassed to say that both of us were sore on Sunday from the bike ride - but not embarrassed enough to keep it to myself.<br /><br />Update: 5 Pointz was <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/20/nyregion/5pointz-a-graffiti-mecca-in-queens-is-wiped-clean-overnight.html?partner=rss&amp;emc=rss&amp;_r=0">painted over</a> in the middle of the night on Monday, surprising the city. I'm so happy we went on Saturday, and I'm devastated that all that artwork is gone.</div><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-28113072056451458552013-11-15T11:36:00.001-05:002013-11-15T11:36:40.487-05:00Friday FavoritesAnother installment in "Erica Spends Too Much Time Online":<br /><br />Spencer sent me this list of <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/12/hangry-hungry-angry-people_n_4256545.html">10 Thing Hangry People Do</a>, and I was like "Yup. That's me."<br /><br />This <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/heres-why-the-walking-dead-doesnt-make-any-damn-sense?bftw">article </a>has <i>ruined </i>The Walking Dead for me! Now all I can think about is how, mathematically speaking, all the zombies should have been killed by now. Blerg! On the other hand, I love all the smiley Rick faces, so it was worth it.<br /><br />I frequently ask myself "WWMW?" - What Would <a href="http://www.merricksart.com/">Merrick </a>Wear? Her tips on <a href="http://www.babble.com/style/tips-to-elevate-your-basic-fall-outfits/">elevating fall outfits</a> and <a href="http://www.babble.com/style/a-beginners-guide-to-layering-with-dresses/">how to layer with dresses</a> are spot on, and I often remind myself when looking in my closet "3 layers, Erica! THREE! LAYERS!" Do I listen? No, but "F" for effort, right?<br /><br />The best part of being an adult is that I can tell myself <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/regajha/lies-you-tell-yourself-to-feel-like-a-grown-up?bftw">all these lies</a>, and <b>no one</b>&nbsp;can call me out on them. (looking at you, Spencer!)<br /><br />Finally - a little self-promotion! I'm over at <a href="http://sayyestohoboken.com/">Say Yes to Hoboken</a> today, talking about my favorite dumpling place in the city and a few other fun city stuff, as a <a href="http://sayyestohoboken.com/2013/11/sites-and-bites-new-york-city.html">Site and Bites: NYC</a>. I had such a blast doing this! I mean, I ate dumplings and went to a candy store - who wouldn't love it?<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2826/10432035445_5d09c58ea7_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2826/10432035445_5d09c58ea7_z.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dumplings!!! Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69083697@N07/">Maribeth Youngberg</a></td></tr></tbody></table><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180059682928695207.post-80581058605480057332013-11-14T06:00:00.000-05:002013-11-14T16:36:37.602-05:00Life<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NckNeL2VTbA/UoRSCPygf5I/AAAAAAAABwU/lkmpW2fwojc/s1600/IMG_2051-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NckNeL2VTbA/UoRSCPygf5I/AAAAAAAABwU/lkmpW2fwojc/s640/IMG_2051-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spencer and I with Grandpa Ricks at our wedding</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">This past weekend was a special one for Spencer's family. Spencer's grandpa passed away the Sunday before last, so Spencer went out to Utah (for the 3rd time this year!) last Thursday for the funeral. Grandpa Ricks was one of the kindest, gentlest, most spiritual men I've ever known; he was an example of love and warmth to all who knew him. Since Grandpa Ricks lived in the same town as where we went to college, Spencer and I were able to spend a good amount of time with him during our time there. My own grandfathers died years before I ever met Spencer, and I'm so grateful that I was able to have a aother grandpa in my life, even if it was only for a few short years.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Spencer described the funeral as a happy event as 3 generations of Grandpa's descendants gathered to celebrate his long, wonderful life (you can read the obituary <a href="http://www.bergmortuary.com/obituaries/Welby-Ricks/#!/Obituary">here</a>). That's how you know his life was well-lived.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As Spencer and his family honored Grandpa on Saturday, Spencer's sister <a href="http://sayyestohoboken.com/">Liz </a>gave birth to a healthy, beautiful baby girl! Congratulations to Liz and Jared! I'm already in love with little <a href="http://sayyestohoboken.com/2013/11/welcome-edie-jean.html">Edie Jean</a> and can't get enough photos and videos of her. (I'm trying to convince Spencer that we need to take a trip out to California to visit our new niece...) &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's just funny how the timing happened. I like to think that Grandpa spent those few days with Edie Jean, prepping her for the great family she was about to join. As one life ends, another begins.</div><br /><hr /><i>I'm also over here! <a href="https://twitter.com/ericacmr">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://instagram.com/ericacmr">Instagram</a>/<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3746057">Bloglovin'</a>/<a href="http://pinterest.com/ericacmr/boards/">Pinterest</a>/<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17696728-erica">Goodreads&nbsp;</a></i>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04239325769993128532noreply@blogger.com1